When the blistering summer heat strikes, everyone hustles to the nearest thermostat to get the cold air flowing. But the right AC setting isn’t just about getting comfortable. It’s also about energy efficiency and decreasing your power costs. So, what’s the magic temp? The answer depends on your particular demands and the time of day. Explore the optimal AC thermostat settings when you’re at home, out or when you are sleeping.
The Best AC Temperature When You’re at Home
The suggested daytime, at-home temperature for a residence's air conditioner is 78 degrees. This temperature setting may seem very high, but the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) states it balances comfort and energy efficiency. Here are a few tips to help stay cool at 78 degrees:
- Use fans: Whether it’s a ceiling fan or a desk fan, moving air will make the room feel about 4 degrees cooler. Plus, fans cost a surprisingly small amount of money to use compared to your air conditioning unit.
- Dress lightly: What you are wearing significantly impacts your comfort level. Wearing light-colored, loose-fitting clothes made of breathable fabrics helps you keep cool when it's hot outside.
- Block out the sun: Sunlight beaming through the windows can easily heat a room significantly. To prevent your home from becoming a greenhouse, hang curtains or blinds to block out the sun, particularly during the peak afternoon hours.
- Stay hydrated: Water consumption has a big part in controlling your body temperature. Staying hydrated boosts your body’s normal cooling processes.
- Cook smart: Cooking creates a surprising amount of heat, forcing your air conditioner to work harder, so try not to use the oven or stove during the hottest part of the afternoon. Instead, use the microwave, prepare cold meals on hot days or grill out on the porch of patio until the weather gets cooler.
The Best AC Temperature While You’re Away
The DOE advises setting the temperature back 7 to 10 degrees when you’re not home for eight hours, which can save up to 10 percent on your cooling expenses. Setting up a programmable thermostat is the simplest strategy to save without relinquishing comfort.
This improvement allows you to automatically change the temperature at different times of the day or week according to your schedule, lowering your energy bills without sacrificing comfort. The trick is to use your programmable thermostat correctly. Here are some tips for taking advantage of its full potential:
- Set it and forget it: Set up your thermostat to automatically set the temperature back about half an hour or so before you leave for work or school in the morning. Then, set the thermostat to start bringing the temperature back down so a comfortable temperature resumes as soon as you walk in the door when you get home.
- Use the vacation setting: If you’re going to be out of your home for a long time, use the “vacation” or “permanent” hold to keep the “away” temperature for days at a time. This avoids extreme heat and humidity buildup without wasting energy to run your air conditioner in an empty house.
- Make gradual adjustments: Your air conditioner works smoothly and efficiently at steady speeds. Plus, a big 10-degree drop won’t cool your home any faster. If you need to, lower the temperature by just one degree and turn on a fan or remove a layer of clothing to help you feel more comfortable.
- Leverage smart capabilities: If you choose a smart thermostat, make the most of its programming capability and advanced features. Some brands can learn from your behaviors and adjust the temperature accordingly or be operated remotely for superior comfort and convenience.
The Best AC Temperature When You’re Sleeping
When it’s time to go to bed, the DOE advises that you should consider setting the temperature four degrees higher than your usual setting. However, many people find it hard to sleep in a hot room. This makes achieving the suitable sleep temperature a real challenge. Thankfully, you can use several methods to beat the heat while you go to sleep:
- Sleep in lightweight pajamas and breathable bed sheets: Just like your daytime wardrobe, your choice of pajamas impacts how hot or cold you feel. Your bed sheets also affect your comfort level. In both cases, light and breathable cotton is the ideal choice.
- Run a fan: Just like during the day, a fan can generate a cool breeze in your bedroom at bedtime, making sleep more comfortable.
- Open a window: If it cools down at night, reap the benefits of this by going to bed with the windows open.
- Take a warm shower before bed: It may sound strange, but a warm shower actually cools you down faster than a cold shower. It does this by increasing your blood circulation, bringing heat to the surface of your skin, where it radiates away faster.
Schedule AC Services this Summer in Columbus
Striking a balance between a home’s comfort and energy efficiency can be challenging. Why spend all summer trying to find the right AC temperatures when Stevenson Service Experts can help you make the most of your system? Our trustworthy, cost-effective AC services in Columbus are backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so you can choose us with complete confidence. Call 614-334-3192 today to schedule the top-notch services you need with Stevenson Service Experts.